Miyoshi

Miyoshi occupies the rugged interior of western Awa, where the Iya River cuts a deep valley through forested mountains before joining the Yoshino. Bridges woven from vines once crossed its ravines, offering a passage between steep banks. Legend says that defeated Heike warriors hid in Iya and made bridges that could be cut to stop pursuit. Several such crossings served the valley's scattered communities during the Edo period.